Why I Started Drawing Hugs
Until around 2014 I’d forgotten how much I loved to draw. I’d always turned to writing as a creative outlet, whether it was stories, scripts or just rambling free writing to clear my head. But due to work pressures and family circumstances, about six years ago I suddenly found myself unable to write. I’d always carried a notebook around with me to capture ideas and lines that came into my head but I would open it and just find myself staring out the window, wordless. On reflection, I think it was largely thanks to the fact that I was, to put it simply, absolutely shattered and very close to burning out for a whole variety of reasons. But despite my exhaustion, I really missed the simple pleasure of feeling the flow of the pen on the page.
One day, I found myself on a train platform, waiting for a delayed train and feeling a bit down, I took out my notebook. Absentmindedly, I started to doodle, a girl’s face, cartoonish and wide eyed with a messy bun. I don’t know what made me draw her. But something clicked. Drawing didn’t demand the same energy as writing. And as I scribbled more and more over the days and weeks to come, I realised it was almost like a meditation. Giving me energy rather than taking it away. And I found it profoundly comforting.
Over the next six years, drawing became a real sanctuary for me. Which is why it was one of the first places I turned when the coronavirus crisis hit. I’m in the UK and like countries all over the world we were put into lockdown for many weeks. I live alone so this meant self isolation and no physical contact with anyone. Keeping in touch with everyone online was, of course, a blessing but one of the things I missed more than anything was hugs. That feeling of being enveloped in someone’s arms and feeling completely safe and loved. And so I started to draw them. Trying to capture all that nurturing, loving feeling in my pictures. It became a project, a focus for each week as they stretched out before me. I drew couples, grandparents, friends, mums holding babies and children with pets. And as always, creating gave me comfort and I really hope my hug pictures give you a little comfort too.
You can see more hug drawings and buy one for your home on my Prints page. I’m also open for commissions, if you’d like me to draw a personalised hug picture for you, please get in touch.
Original sketch for Border Collie Hug illustration
Border Collie Hug final illustration
